Irish rider speaks at length about worlds 2012 ride, aspirations for current season and more

An Post Chainreaction Sean Kelly rider Sam Bennett has spoken of the morale boost he got in winning stage three of the An Post Rás, saying that the victory was a very important one after a lean spell.

“I am pretty happy – it is a long time since I got a win, I think over a year and a half. So it is a relief, also,” he told VeloNation in the first of two video interviews featured below.

“I think this is very important [for my confidence] – I haven’t had a win in a long time and I think I needed one, especially for my head. Hopefully there is more to come.”

Bennett’s ability is clear to all, with strong showings against professional riders in the Tour of Britain being followed by a solid showing in the under 23 world road race championships last September.

Although his preparation was hampered by the flare-up of a knee issue, he went into the race in good form. He was delayed on the last lap by a near-crash, and had a long chase back on. That mishap meant that he expended a lot of injury on the Cauberg to get back to position, but was able to salvage a tenth place finish.

Now, with those knee issues behind him as a result of operations he underwent at the end of last season, he’s pushing on with his career and hopes to clock up more wins.

“In the last couple of months I’ve been feeling like I am stronger [than before], but I am still missing that little bit, that little five percent. But I am starting to come around now, so hopefully there is more to come.”

His Irish-sponsored, Belgian-based team has clocked up two stage wins in three days thus far and wants to continue chasing success for the remainder of the An Post Rás, the 2.2-ranked Irish stage race. The event is an important target, not least because it is backed by the same title sponsor which supports the team,

“We are going for stages but if the yellow jersey comes along, we will try to get that as well,” he said. “We are trying to keep our options, we are all going for it and trying to keep as many men up in GC as possible so we keep our options open.”

In the video below, which was conducted earlier this year, Bennett speaks about his 2012 season and that complicated worlds participation. He also speaks about his goals for this season, saying that he has an increased ambition and a realisation that he needs to step thing up if he is to land a WorldTour contract.

“I’d like to get up in a few sprints this year. I just want to take whatever I can. If I can see any way that I can get a result, I will take it. I will not be holding back.

“I would love to win a 1.1. They are very difficult to win, but I’d like to think I can do that this year. I think if I got a result in a 1.1 it would definitely stand to me, I would definitely turn heads…”